I really liked the dress too. Beautiful fit, appropriately formal for the occassion without being a boring suit, the ivory color looks great with her skin and hair.
Pdas1201 is right, though, that the suit did wrinkle badly, messing with the sleek fit of the skirt.
Overall, I think it's the best thing she's worn so far on this trip (which admittedly just started).
SYDNEY's growing love affair with the Danish Prince and his Australian bride has stunned even Prince Frederik, who is well used to being the centre of attention.
The royal couple's attendance at the Premier's state luncheon yesterday marked a departure from their more informal public appearances since arriving last week.
But Sydneysiders were out in force to catch even the most fleeting glimpse of the popular young couple.
And they were not disappointed.
"We've been very touched and perhaps a little surprised by the incredibly warm reception we've received by Sydneysiders," Frederik said.
As always, the attention was directed towards his wife, who looked svelte in a cream dress with dark maroon belt and pearl earrings. But there were plenty of cheers for Frederik, too.
Their day began with the red carpet being rolled out between brass barricades erected due to the throng of guests and camera-wielding fans outside their hotel.
When asked how they enjoyed their night alone together on Sunday night, the prince said: "It is always nice to have some time out with someone like [Mary]".
There was a quick drive from The Rocks up to Macquarie St and more fans waving flags as Princess Mary and Prince Frederik, in a beige suit, were warmly greeted by 140 business, community and political leaders arriving for Premier Bob Carr's luncheon.
It began with all the pomp and ceremony of a wedding reception – centrepieces on the tables, waiters bearing trays of drinks, visitors in their finery arriving well before the guests-of-honour. But in lieu of a bridal waltz, the Danish and Australian national anthems rang out.
Upstairs, at Governor Macquarie Tower the tables were covered with ochre-coloured tablecloths, gold-etched menus and leafy floral centrepieces of yellow roses and orange wattle.
Guests including former prime minister Gough Whitlam, former federal Coalition leader Andrew Peacock and Danish Consul-General Jorgen Mollegaard Kristensen dined on snapper fillets with flyfish roe, roast lamb with wild mushrooms, and fresh fruit.
Prince Frederik said they had both been gratified by the welcome extended by Australians.
Describing Sydney as "one of the most beautiful cities in the world", he said he had enjoyed racing on the Harbour on Sunday, although his wife defeated him.
"I'm sure these spectacular images of the Harbour will make their way to Denmark and see even more Danes making a trip Down Under," he said.
Avowed Republican Mr Carr toasted the Queen of Denmark, while Prince Frederik made a toast to the "Queen of Australia".
Mr Carr said the pair would always be welcome here, where they met during the Olympics.
After lunch, Princess Mary borrowed the silver Audi TT coupe, on loan to her husband, for a spot of shopping in the city with her best friend, Amber Petty.
Amid tight security, she managed to evade photographers camped out the front of the Shangri-La Hotel.
Frederik was chauffered to the Cruising Yacht Club in an unmarked white Federal Police car.
In a televised interview broadcast last night, Princess Mary told Andrew Denton she did not feel obligated to produce an heir to the Danish throne because "it's something we very much want to do".
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Ellen Connolly
March 1, 2005
Sydney Morning Herald
Now you see her, now you don't ...
She swanned in at midday. A wave here, a smile there. And then she was gone. Again.
For the crowd of city workers who had gathered to see Princess Mary yesterday, they had less than five minutes to catch a glimpse of the woman who has been hailed as the next "people's princess".
Such brief encounters with the public on the couple's first Australian royal tour attracted harsh criticism from the Danish media, who are disappointed that Mary is not interacting with the public. "Meet the people, Mary. Go public," screamed the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet yesterday.
Its royal correspondent, Anne-Mette Gregers, said the Danish media was despairing at the blandness of the tour thus far. She said it comprised mainly private functions, which prevented Australians - who were paying for the trip - to get close to the princess.
At the couple's first public appearance on Sunday, she said the public needed binoculars to watch them sailing on Sydney Harbour. By the time the yacht race was over, and the royals sailed closer to the shore, many of the onlookers had already left.
"Diana was known as the people's princess but this is more like Mary's private vacation with friends than a public visit," Ms Gregers said.
At a lunch hosted by the Premier, Bob Carr, and attended by 140 guests yesterday, the princess did not say much - she left that to her husband - but she looked sensational.
Tall and pale, she wore a white knee-length Chanel dress and stilettos. A deep-purple belt showed off her tiny waist, dispelling any speculation she could be pregnant. Her husband appeared nervous as he made a brief speech, thanking Sydneysiders for their warm welcome. "Already we've been very touched and perhaps a little surprised by the incredibly warm reception we've received," he said.
The couple left after 90 minutes, stopping briefly on the steps of Governor Macquarie Tower to wave to the crowd of about 300 before they were driven off, sirens blazing on the police escort. They returned to their hotel to relax for the day.
Danish journalist, Kirsten Balslev, said it was vastly different to Denmark where Mary openly greets crowds of people, accepting bouquets of flowers and shaking hands.
"In Denmark she gives her hand to everyone. People wait for hours for her. They cry 'Mary, Mary'. She smiles and give them her hands. Sometimes she disappears into the crowd because she dive in to reach their hands. You do not see that here.
"You people say Australia is so laid-back but there are police and security everywhere."
Alissa Nott, 19, a legal secretary, who waited to catch sight of the princess during her lunchbreak yesterday, said she did not mind that Mary stayed away from the crowd.
"It's just really exciting that she's here. She doesn't really have time to shake people's hands. It's nice just to have her wave."
Prince Frederik will compete in the Rolex Farr40 World Championship on Sydney harbour today while Mary takes a day off.
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The Australian
'Republican' Mary among friends
Vanda Carson
March 01, 2005
THEY are young, in love and on holidays but the downside of being a royal means a lot of lunches with crusty old business and community leaders.
Princess Mary and Prince Federick spent yesterday afternoon in the polite company of some of Australia's most outspoken republicans.
The allure of rubbing shoulders with royalty was clearly too much to resist for Sydney's elite.
Republican NSW Premier Bob Carr played host while the couple were joined at their table by firm republicans Gough and Margaret Whitlam.
Cardinal George Pell, who impressed many republicans with his leadership at the 1998 Constitutional Convention, was there as was his Anglican counterpart, Peter Jensen.
Of the 140 people who dined at Governor Macquarie Tower, almost all were decades older than the guests of honour.
"On behalf of the people of NSW, I greet Your Royal Highnesses in the city which brought you together," Mr Carr said with a flourish.
He added it was not surprising the 33-year-old princess had married into a royal family, given her home state's support for the monarchy at the 1999 republic referendum.
Mary's age, her tertiary education and the fact she lived within the federal seat of Wentworth in Sydney's eastern suburbs in 1999 has prompted republican observers to speculate she would have been more likely to have voted in favour of the referendum.
Australian National University political science professor John Warhurst said we would never know for sure, but he would not mind a wager on it.
"(She is) just the sort of person who voted for the republic," Professor Warhurst said.
Prince Frederik said the couple had been pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome they had received in Australia.
"Already we've been very touched and perhaps a little surprised by the incredibly warm reception we've received (from) Sydneysiders," he said.
The pair, who would probably prefer to have been sailing, were then whisked away in a five-car motorcade, escorted by seven police motorcyclists.
Crowds of office workers gathered behind barricades, hoping to catch a glimpse as the prince and princess drove by.
In an interview broadcast last night, Mary said she felt no sense of obligation to produce an heir, because "it's something that we very much want to do".
"We do want to start a family and there's no secret with that," she said. "When it happens it will happen."
For Mary, at least there are no official engagements today.
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The Mercury from Tasmania
Mary fever on the rise
By DAMIAN McINTYRE
01mar05
THOUSANDS of Tasmanians will get a chance to see Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Crown Prince Frederik when they visit the state next week.
The royal couple will arrive on Thursday week for their first visit since their Copenhagen marriage last year. Their itinerary for official engagements was announced yesterday.
The visit will include a welcome at Hobart Airport by the Derwent Valley Concert Band which played at their wedding, a call at the University of Tasmania's School of Art, a tree planting at Government House and a visit to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
At the School of Art the couple will view fine Tasmanian furniture and officially open an exhibition by ceramicist Les Blakebrough.
They will also visit the Port Arthur historic site and attend a state reception for 1200 people and a fundraising ball organised by the Tasmanian division of the Save the Children Fund.
A visit to Mary's former school, Taroona High, has been left off the itinerary.
Thousands of Tasmanians are expected to line the streets of Hobart to glimpse Prince Frederik and to welcome Princess Mary home.
A large police and security presence is expected to shadow the royal couple's every move on their Tasmanian visit.
Premier Paul Lennon said the program had been designed in consultation with the Amalienborg Palace to showcase Tasmania and provided a number of chances for Tasmanians to express their affection.
"It is a wide range of activities in a short time and I am grateful to their Highnesses for allowing so many opportunities for Tasmanians to show their goodwill," Mr Lennon said.
"It has been made very clear to me that Tasmania feels a strong bond with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and that the people of the state are greatly looking forward to their visit."
He said it was a special occasion for Tasmania and a great chance to showcase the state to the world.
At the end of the formal visit the royal couple will spend some private time in Tasmania. The holiday will include time with Crown Princess Mary's family.
It is believed the couple has booked out the Central Highlands fishing lodge London Lakes as part of the holiday.
Mr Lennon has asked Tasmanians to give the couple space and freedom to enjoy their time off.
"We want them to feel welcome in Tasmania and we want them to know that they can come back in safety and security whenever they wish," he said.
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Launceston(Tasmania) Examiner
A rolled-gold royal romantic
Tuesday, 1 March 2005
SYDNEY - Mary Donaldson not only won the heart of a prince - she got herself a real- life prince charming.
Denmark's Prince Frederik observed all the niceties during their fairytale courtship.
He proposed in Rome, he wrote a gallant letter to her father "kindly asking" for her hand in marriage, he wept as she walked down the aisle and he chose a honeymoon in Africa so they could be "just Frederik and Mary" away from the public gaze.
The future king could not keep his emotions in check during their lavish internationally televised wedding 10 months ago.
"You could hear the crowd outside sort of starting to rumble and cheer and now you're getting closer to the final countdown," he told Andrew Denton on ABC TV's Enough Rope last night.
"Suppressed feelings that I had kept within me for, I would say, maybe years suddenly could not be held back, and should not be held back.
"So I said to hell with keeping the facade. This is the moment ...
"There might as well have been no people in the church, for me it was just the two of us living that intense moment, which was quite the most fantastic part in that day I think."
Prince Frederik felt the couple would need to honeymoon somewhere like Antarctica or Greenland to get some privacy.
He surprised her with a safari in Africa.
"We were completely Mary and Frederik," his bride said.
"We just did as we pleased, went around as we pleased.
"I mean just to sit and watch the animals as the dawn's setting.It was just such a magical experience."
Princess Mary said her father was "very touched" to receive Prince Frederik's letter proposing marriage.
"He was very happy to receive the letter in that traditional sense of being asked in that formal way," she said.
"Also very pleased for me to be so happy and to be getting married to the person that I love."
She said she felt no sense of obligation to produce an heir because "it's something that we very much want to do. We do want to start a family and there's no secret with that," she said.
"When it happens it will happen."
Recalling their meeting during the Sydney Olympics, she said: "I gave Frederik my telephone number and he rang me the next day, so you could say something clicked.
"It wasn't the fireworks in the sky or anything like that but there was a sense of excitement."
Her husband added: "There was definitely that sense that I've met somebody special that was definitely worth another call, at least one call."
"I got to the second round," laughed Princess Mary.
She said the things she missed most about Australia included family and friends, the coastline, funny Australian characters and her "childhood love" Fruit Tingles."
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Sunday Telegraph
Royals soak up Sydney's glamour
By celebrity writer PHILLIP KOCH and DESIREE D'COSTA
February 27, 2005
CROWN Prince Frederik delighted spectators yesterday when he embraced Princess Mary and kissed her after finishing a yacht race at Rushcutters Bay.
Happy together: Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary yesterday
"I am quite ecstatic," the heir to the Danish throne admitted after greeting his wife with a huge smile on the dock of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
The royal couple laughed and chatted with each other on the dock before spending 30 minutes mingling with sailors at the famous harbourfront bar.
Looking tanned and relaxed, Princess Mary also appeared to be happy to be home – and burst out laughing when she was asked if she was missing the Danish winter.
But then she had spent much of yesterday soaking up Sydney's million-dollar views, haute couture fashion and exclusive restaurants.
While Frederik hit the harbour to sail in the Rolex pre-world Farr 40 championships, his Australian-born wife treated herself and a friend to some expensive retail therapy.
She secretly met with Sydney fashion designer Jayson Brunsdon before splashing out on a $300 lunch with her bridesmaid, Amber Petty, at Pier restaurant, Rose Bay.
"She's much more than a celebrity – she's a princess," enthused Brunsdon, after the meeting yesterday morning. "It's the whole fairytale thing.
"It puts her in a completely different league. She really is in a league of her own. She is fabulous and she is beautiful."
Rose Bay sisters-in-law Yvonne and Irene Sammons were delighted to catch a glimpse of the princess, who hid her jet lag behind Christian Dior sunglasses and left the restaurant by boat to meet up with Frederik at Rushcutters Bay.
"It's so exciting to see her – she's so gorgeous," Mrs Sammons said.
"I think all of Australia is just so proud of Mary. Her visit will be very well received."
When Mary ventured out of her $5000-a-night suite at the Shangri-La Hotel, in The Rocks, at 11am, she and Ms Petty headed straight to Brunsdon's Surry Hills studio, flanked by eight bodyguards including a Danish officer.
"No comment," said Brunsdon when questioned on why Mary and Ms Petty spent more than an hour inside his design studio.
When pushed, he revealed Ms Petty had had a fitting for a frock to wear to the $1000-a-head Red Cross 90th-anniversary gala dinner on Wednesday night.
"I can tell you Amber was here trying on a dress," confirmed Brunsdon, who refused to say if he was also designing something special for Princess Mary.
Brunsdon's elegant, pure silk gowns have made him one of the hottest designers in Australia.
He counts influential Sex And The City stylist Rebecca Weinberg, movie star Naomi Watts and supermodel Linda Evangelista among his fans.
US television presenter Dianne Sawyer has requested one of Brunsdon's $2000 gowns to wear to the Academy Awards tomorrow.
Brunsdon knows that if Princess Mary wears his label on Wednesday, it will boost his profile and translate into sales around the world.
"She has become a fashion icon," he said yesterday.
"She looks amazing, and she's clearly very interested in fashion.
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AAP
CROWN Princess Mary was sitting for a portrait in her inner-Sydney hotel today, Danish officials said.
The painting, by Chinese artist Jiawei Shedhen, will be hung in the national portrait gallery in Canberra when finished.
Lis Frederiksen, head of press and information for the palace, would not confirm details of the portrait today.
However, it has been reported the portrait will be a full length painting showing Mary wearing a long dress and a pale blue sash.
Ms Frederiksen said the sitting began at the Shangri-La Hotel shortly before 11am (2 hours, 46 minutes ago) today.
She did not know how long it would take, and could not confirm if multiple sittings were required.
"I don't know how long it will take, it is up to them," she said.
The Tasmanian-born princess had no official engagements today but husband Crown Prince Frederik was spending the day on Sydney Harbour, taking part in the Farr-40 world sailing championships.
what is the next official event is it tomorrow?
how much media attention is it un australia about frederik and mary
Big day coming up today:
WEDNESDAY
Frederik sailing (what's new?)
Mary: hair, dress, make-up
then ... Red Cross Ball 90th Anniversary Gala Dinner in the evening.
This will be the big one.
THURSDAY
Frederik sailing.
Mary at a lunch for the Mental Health Association
then ... Dinner at Government House, hosted by the Governor (the Governor is the Queen's representative in New South Wales. Each state of the Commonwealth has a Governor; the Commonwealth has the Governor General).
This may be a tiara party, who knows.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Extensive in both newspapers and TV. This tour is big news. It helps that they are both so photogenic, and sweet.
Not a surprise, the wedding was televised live and was a real big deal.
She is lovely, he is cute, he likes it here. He's having a great time sailing every day. They are an appealing and attractive couple, and she is one of ours. In effect, what you give out, you get back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Josefine
how much media attention is it in Australia about Frederik and Mary
The television ratings for Monday evening show that more Australians watched the Frederick and Mary interview than watched the Academy Awards, which was being broadcast at the same time.
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The Australian
Mary goes window shopping
Annabelle McDonald and Debra Solomon
March 02, 2005
A LAZY weekday afternoon spent engaging in some retail therapy with girlfriends might be a guilty pleasure for many, but Princess Mary yesterday looked carefree as she sauntered through Woollahra in Sydney's east checking out the latest fashions.
On a break from her official duties, the princess spent yesterday morning sitting for an official portrait by Chinese-born Australian artist Jiawei Shen, and followed up with an afternoon of shopping with two female friends.
The three -- watched closely by a solitary security guard -- chatted to each other in Danish and English as they perused the latest fashions of some of Sydney's high-end retailers.
Casually dressed in a pink kaftan-style top, white jeans and sandals, the former real estate agent admired some of Australian designer Akira Isogawa's creations, before leaving the store empty-handed.
Probably a wise decision, Akira sales manager Fiona Marsh said. "Lots of Sydney women have been in last week and bought formal dresses for functions being thrown in Mary's honour.
"I doubt she'd want to turn up in the same thing as anyone else."
Mary and her friends then stopped briefly in Yipse boutique on Oxford Street, before leaving the area with not a single shopping bag in sight.
The princess then jumped into the driver's seat of a silver Audi convertible happy to chauffeur her two friends to their next destination.
Shen's work, understood to be a full-length portrait of Mary wearing a long dress with a pale blue sash, will be hung in the National Portrait Gallery.
While Shen's piece will end up in Canberra, another Australian portrait artist, Ralph Heimans, has been commissioned by the National Gallery of Denmark to paint the princess in her adopted home when she returns from her Australian visit.
"I was over the moon when I found out the news. I'm fascinated to see what Princess Mary's world is like, it's visual beauty, and to somehow capture the passage of her journey in the painting," Mr Heimans told The Australian.
He believes he was granted the commission because, like Mary, he is an Australian living abroad and, more importantly, is trained in the European tradition of art, which is well suited to royal portraiture.
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